NHL ROUNDUP : Whalers’ Liut Records Second Shutout in Row

Mike Liut began the season as the No. 3 goaltender for the Hartford Whalers. One month into the season, he is No. 1 in the National Hockey League.

The 33-year-old netminder the Whalers couldn’t find a place for when the season opened turned in his second consecutive shutout Saturday night with a 1-0 victory over the Bruins at Boston.

Scott Young broke up a scoreless struggle between Liut and Reggie Lemelin when he scored with a low 20-foot shot near the middle of the last period.

Liut improved his record to 4-2-1 with his 22nd shutout, tops among active goalies. He made 28 saves, several of them outstanding. He has given up only 11 goals in his seven games.

The Whalers believed Liut, for several years ranked the No. 1 goaltender in the NHL, started going downhill last season. Nagging injuries and an inability to stop the puck limited him to 35 games last season.

In training camp, the Whalers named Peter Sidorkiewicz No. 1 in the nets and rookie Kay Whitmore as his backup. They were trying, without success, to unload Liut.

But when the two top goalies gave up 16 goals in the first three games, Coach Rick Ley decided to give Liut a start. Liut beat Washington, 4-1, stopping 24 shots. He has started all but two games since.

Liut is taking his latest success in stride.

“I’m in a groove, but I’m only trying to make the saves I’m supposed to make,” said Liut, who stopped 22 shots in a 2-0 win over Quebec Wednesday night. “A shutout always feels good. Tonight it was extremely hot and very tough to play, but the guys played well for me.”

New York Rangers 4, New York Islanders 1--Goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, who gave up five goals in two periods against the Islanders Friday night, was outstanding in the return match at Uniondale, N.Y.

The veteran stopped 25 shots and had a shutout until Randy Wood’s 40-footer eluded him with just 30 seconds to play.

The loss dropped the Islanders’ home record to 0-2-3. In the five games, they have scored only 11 goals.

It may have been a costly victory for the Rangers. Center Carey Wilson sprained his left knee in the opening minutes and had to be carried from the ice.

The game turned into a series of fights in the final two minutes, with coaches Roger Neilson of the Rangers and Al Arbour of the Islanders getting into a shouting match.

The Rangers’ 8-1-3 record is the best in the NHL.

New Jersey 3, Chicago 2--Brendan Shanahan and Patrick Sundstrom fed each other for power-play goals in the second period at East Rutherford, N.J., and the Devils ended the Blackhawks’ four-game winning streak.

The Devils, who were two for 11 in the previous two games with a man advantage, made good on two out of three power plays.

Vancouver 4, Calgary 3--The Canucks came out surprisingly well in back-to-back battles with the Stanley Cup champion Flames. Despite a tie and a win, the Canucks were disappointed.

Friday night at Calgary, the Canucks led by two goals with five minutes left and were tied with just three seconds left.

In this one at Vancouver, the Canucks, after Calgary scored its three goals in nine minutes in the second period, came from behind to win.

Montreal 5, Pittsburgh 1--Shayne Corson scored twice in a four-goal second period at Montreal that carried the Canadiens to victory.

The fans booed Penguin star Mario Lemieux, apparently for what they felt was a lackadaisical effort.

Toronto 6, Detroit 4--Vincent Damphousse scored midway through the third period at Toronto to break a 4-4 tie.

Al Iafrate scored two minutes later to clinch the win for the Maple Leafs, who blew a three-goal lead in a loss to Buffalo Friday night.

St. Louis 1, Washington 0--Brett Hull broke up a goaltending battle between the Capitals’ Don Beaupre and the Blues’ Greg Millen with his 11th goal late in the second period at St. Louis. Beaupre stopped 31 shots, Millen 33.

Edmonton 6, Quebec 3--Mark Messier and Jari Kurri scored in the first six minutes at Quebec and the Oilers coasted to victory.

Minnesota 6, Philadelphia 5--Brian Bellows scored on a power play with just 41 seconds left in regulation at Bloomington, Minn., to give the North Stars the victory. The win enabled the North Stars to tie for the lead in the Norris Division.

The defeat dropped the Flyers to 2-7-1, the worst record in the league.